Computer Shopper - UK (2020-10)

ADVANCEDPROJECTS

ISSUE392|COMPUTER SHOPPER|OCTOBER 2020 115

THISFEATUREISentirely concerned with
using the new High Quality Camera module
(HQ Camera) and its lenses, so we’re going
to assume you’ve got aRaspberry Pi and
know how to set it up.The HQ Camera
module is compatible with any Pi that has a
CSI camera connector,which is every Pi
except the firstZero boards.
As you can see from the comparison table
(right), the HQ Camera is more sophisticated
than the previous Camera modules, so slower
Pi boards will introduce acertain amount of
lag or sluggishness compared with a
Raspberry Pi 4B. Also remember that Zero
boards require acompatible cable,and the
HQ Camera only comes with a200mm
standard-thickness cable.
As we’re talking about considerations
when ordering, it’s worth addressing the
elephant in the room: the HQ Camera module
costs £50, the cheaper 6mm Wide Angle lens
costs afurther £25, while the 16mm
Telephotolens costs another £50. The HQ
Camera module doesn’t come with alens, but
it does come with aC-CS adaptor,soit’s
compatible with arange of otherlens units
beyond the two launch lenses.
Depending on how you want to use the
HQ Camera, you’ll need either arear mount
(£3 forthe basic version, £5 forthe Pro
version and its spirit level) or amuch longer
cable than the one supplied (from £2 to £5,
depending on length). Addall that up,and an
HQ Camera setup costs £85–£110 even if
you’ve already got afully operational Pi. Add
another £30–60 if you haven’t, depending on
options. This is not small-change territory.
It’s also worth mentioning that the HQ
Camera and its lenses are in high demand,

so you’ll probably have to sign up to a

stock alert from either (or both) The Pi

Hut and Pimoroni, the two main UK

Raspberry Pi suppliers (seethepihut.com

andshop.pimoroni.com). Both shops use

the same prices listed above.

FOCUS ON LENSES

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that

the HQ Camera module and the two launch

lenses require areasonable amount of

photography knowledge to use.There’s talk

of the back-focus adjustment ring and a

back-illuminated sensor (we’ve included a

glossary on page 118, so don’t panic if

those terms are meaningless). However,

even savvy snappers could find setting up

the lenses somewhat confusing.

Let’s start with that back-focus ring.

The guidance forboth launch lenses is to

tighten it entirely and lock it off.Todothis,

hold the HQ Camera with its lens mount

facing you and tighten the ridged ring

clockwise.Once it stops turning, take the

supplied tiny flat-head screwdriver and

tighten the screw above the mount.

⬆The HQ Cameralaunched with two lenses, awide angle (middle) and atelephoto(right)

SPECIFICATIONSCOMPARISON

PICAMERAV1 PICAMERAV2 HIGHQUALITY

CAMERA

Price £24(discontinued) £0 £0

Sensorresolution 5megapixels 8megapixels 12.3megapixels

Sensorarea 3.76x2.74mm 3.68x2.76mm 6.29x4.71mm

Pixel size 1.4μm2 1.12μm2 1.55μm2

Max video resolution,

frame rate

1080p@30fps 1080p@30fps 1080p@30fps

Lens compatibility Integrated Integrated C, CS (with supplied

adaptor)

Module size 25x24x9mm 25x24x9mm 38x38x12mm

(excluding lens)

Tripod support No No Yes(removable)

Other features None Infrared model

available(£24), focus

adjustment via

separatetool (£1)

Back-focus

adjustment